Lorraine 40t

The Lorraine 40t was a prototype French medium tank of the Cold War.

Development

After the end of the Second World War, the French Army was in pressing need of a modern tank with heavy armament. In March 1945, French industry was invited to design a tank, which resulted in the AMX-50.

However, it was already obvious in the early 1950s that the AMX-50 tank might turn out to be too heavy due to attempts to improve the gun and armor in response to Soviet tanks such as the IS-3. Thus, in 1950, a 40 tonne medium tank project was started. The Lorraine company built a medium tank prototype based on their earlier Canon D’Assaut Lorraine project.

Description

The total weight was limited to 39.7 tonnes.^[1] The Lorraine 40t featured a pike nose design similar to the IS-3. It had an oscillating turret like the AMX-50.^[2] The Lorraine 40t mounted a 100 mm SA47 gun fed from a drum autoloader similar to that of the AMX-50 project.

The vehicle inherited the Veil Picard pneumatic tires from the Canon D’Assaut Lorraine which helped to reduce weight.^[2] The engine used was the Maybach HL 295 12VC engine which gave a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph).^[2]

The Lorraine 40t had a SCR 508 radio for external communications.^[3]

The two prototypes were apparently scrapped after the discontinuation of the project.

References